Major Fire Hits 120-Year-Old Santa Maria School With No Injuries Reported

Overview

• The blaze began on the evening of December 26 in the central area of Rua Floriano Peixoto and sent dense smoke visible from several blocks away.
• Firefighters controlled the fire at around 22:30 and moved into overhaul operations as the night progressed.
• Response involved the Corpo de Bombeiros, Brigada Militar, Samu and Defesa Civil, with streets closed and nearby residents temporarily evacuated.
• School officials said the facility was unoccupied when the fire started and confirmed there were no injuries.
• Authorities are assessing structural and heritage damage as concerns grow over potential losses to original architecture and archives, and the cause remains under investigation.